Thai Officials Open Joe Ferrari’s Cell to Media, Address Isolation vs. Solitary Confinement Amid Controversy
Bangkok, March 12, 2025 – In response to growing scrutiny over the controversial death of former Police Colonel Thitisan “Joe Ferrari” Utthanaphon, the Thai Department of Corrections opened his cell at Klong Prem Central Prison to journalists on Tuesday, March 11. The media tour aimed to clarify the conditions of his detention and distinguish between isolation and solitary confinement amid widespread speculation.
Thitisan, 43, previously the superintendent of Nakhon Sawan City Police Station, was serving a life sentence for the 2021 torture and murder of a drug suspect when he was found dead in his cell on March 7. Prison officials reported his death as suicide, stating that he had hanged himself using a towel tied to his cell door. His passing has sparked intense debate over prison oversight and his treatment in custody.
Led by Pol Lt Col Shane Kanjanapach, deputy director-general of the Department of Corrections, journalists were guided through Zone 5, where Thitisan had been housed in isolation cell number 50. The small, bare cell contained only a sleeping mat, a water container, toiletries, and sandals—untouched since his death. Of particular interest was a reinforced iron bar on the door, the spot where the towel had been tied. Though reporters were allowed to observe the cell’s interior, they were prohibited from entering due to the ongoing investigation.
For comparison, officials also opened cell 51, which had previously been occupied by a transgender inmate who had requested single occupancy. Structurally similar to Thitisan’s cell, it contained a squat toilet, water basin, an exhaust fan, and a ceiling fan.
The media tour then proceeded to Zone 1, home to the prison’s solitary confinement unit. Unlike Zone 5, this section consists of a single-story building with 10 individual cells inside a fenced compound. Each solitary cell contains a squat toilet and water basin but lacks ceiling fans, relying solely on exhaust ventilation. Officials highlighted that the unit is used for disciplinary purposes, reinforcing the distinction between isolation and solitary confinement.
Prison authorities clarified that Thitisan’s placement in Zone 5 was not punitive solitary confinement but isolation, a measure used for safety, discipline, or legal reasons—such as his pending appeal. Often referred to as protective custody in Western prisons, isolation allows inmates access to family and legal counsel, with at least two hours of communal time daily. While some isolated inmates share their cells, Thitisan was housed alone.
In contrast, communal cells—the least restrictive category—permit group living, television access, and participation in daily activities. “Thitisan’s placement was about management, not punishment,” Shane emphasized, countering previous misreports.
The tour and official statements sought to dispel misinformation while underscoring the prison’s adherence to standard procedures, though questions surrounding Thitisan’s death remain.
